Columns

By BILL SANSOM
TVA board chairman
The leadership transition at TVA is well under way.

With the new year, the second CEO for the Tennessee Valley Authority will be in charge and continue the shift from over six decades of management by a three-member board to a more traditional corporate structure and part-time board.

As the first CEO, Tom Kilgore set TVA on a clearer path tied to low rates, cleaner air and a diverse energy mix.

Thanks to a tennis accident, a massive blood clot in my leg, a bout with cancer, a bum gall bladder and a few other health issues, I’ve spent more time than I care to recall in and around hospitals.
So when my mother went in last week for surgery to relieve compression on her spine, I jokingly told her, “Better you than me.”
Later, as I sat alone for hours in the surgery waiting room, I decided she had the easier role.

We have several topics we wish to touch on briefly today, but it is most orderly to address the long running topic, or soap opera, of Dr. Scott DesJarlais.

We have in the past called attention to the fact that this man’s conduct while bearing the official designation of Republican Representative in the Congress serves to besmirch the reputation of the Grand Old Party almost as much as that of the doctor himself.

It has been plain that he presents himself as the duly elected Republican from the 4th district.

By LEE HAMILTON
Center of Congress
An intriguing conversation about the next step in the fiscal drama is taking place among our elected leaders.

At this early point it is mostly at an exploratory level, but it’s no less real for that.

A day after an election in which a changing electorate essentially cemented the status quo in place — re-electing the president and keeping Congress split between the two parties — the stock market swooned.

Inasmuch as the elections are over, we feel free to look to other matters besides politics for a time, brief though it may be.

One thing we have meant to write about for some time is the matter of the Harriman Hospital being converted to a V.A. hospital.

We are highly favourable to this idea, and, despite the recent rejection, we think that it just might work, if the proponents of the idea will try to look at it from the viewpoint of the government officials who must ultimately make the final decision.

I’ll never forget the first election I covered.
I was a poor reporter, barely making more than minimum wage and trying to get by on it.
Ground zero for election coverage was the courthouse in Pineville, Ky., and Election Day was the highlight of my professional calendar.
The county clerk’s office — and many other contributors — brought in a feast of casseroles, meats, side dishes, snacks and desserts and shared willingly with all.

REPORT FROM ROANE COUNTY
COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP
Roane County residents directly impacted by the 2008 catastrophic release of 5.4 million cubic yards of fly ash, expressed their disappointment in TVA’s most recent clean up plan.

Last month, many of them submitted comments on TVA’s latest plan to clean up the fly ash that still remains in the Emory, Clinch and Tennessee rivers.

Well, gentle reader, we near the end of another quadrennial collision over who should be the chief executive of this great republic, and all the pundits and prognosticators unanimously agree that it’s too close to call.